Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax,
Sony and Olympus are just a few of the camera
brands widely available today. Each of these companies
has multiple models from which to choose.

With so many brands and models to choose from,
with so much information and misinformation available,
just how do I know what camera to buy? Should
I go digital or stick with film? What kind of
accessories and lenses will I need?

While you are contemplating a new camera purchase,
it is a good idea to remember that each camera
company has a marketing department, and it is
their job to convince you, the consumer, of your
dire need for the latest and greatest that they
have to offer. I have found recommendations from
friends and family are not always that helpful
either. Of course, the brand they use is the best
(no one wants to admit to a purchasing error)!
Well then, what about the pros? Should I consider
what they are using? Many pros have "deals" with
manufactures, so the financial benefits rather
then equipment benefits may motivate them in their
brand preferences.

As
you begin the search for your new camera, temper
your excitement about who has the "latest and
greatest". Frequently camera manufactures leap
frog each other technologically. The most important
aspect of making the correct decision is figuring
out what you want to do photographically and getting
the right tool to accomplish your goals.

Once you have a good idea of what you want to
accomplish with your photography, and you have
a camera in mind, go try it out! The camera may
have the specifications you want, but does it
feel right in your hand? Are the ergonomics right
for you?

Here are some questions you should ponder as you
begin the camera selection process.

1. What do I wish to accomplish with my photography?

Personal Satisfaction

Relaxation/Stress Relief

Hobbyist

Teaching (About your subject)

Love of Nature

To Share Photos With Friends

Show Off

Personal Challenge

Professional Aspirations

2. What style of photography do I want to
concentrate on?

Landscape

Macro

Natural History

Animal Behavior

Ecological

Wild Animal Portraits

Artistic

General Nature

3. What do I want the final product to be?

Transparency / Slide

Print From Negative

Print from Digital File

Large Prints / 11X14 and Larger

4. What are some budgetary concerns?

Initial System Cost

Accessory Cost

Annual Frame Count (High or Low Volume Shooter)

5. Film or Digital?

Once you have answered for yourself the aforementioned
questions, the search has just begun for your
perfect camera. To at least point you in the right
direction, the following chart takes into consideration
your motivation, style, budget and equipment speed.

Before
considering the equipment chart, I would like
to suggest that if you plan to shoot frequently
(High Annual Frame Count) and do not need a transparency
/ slide as your final product, a digital system
is your best value. If you are shooting infrequently,
the initial cost of a film system is still much
lower, although the gap between Digital and Film
Cameras is getting narrower. If you need a transparency
/ slide as your final product or you are an infrequent
shooter, IMO, a film camera will be your best
value.

Budget to Intermediate Film Camera Kit

Landscape
/ General Photography

Wildlife Photography

Camera
Bodies

Camera
Bodies

Nikon FE10 (Manual Focus)

Nikon N80

Nikon N55

Nikon F100

Nikon N75

Canon Elan 7

Nikon N80

Canon EOS 3

Canon Rebel 2000

Canon Elan 7

Canon EOS 3

Lenses

Lenses

28-70mm Zoom

70-300mm Zoom

24-120VR / 28-135IS Zoom

80-400VR / 100-400IS Zoom

70-300mm Zoom

500 F4 / 500 F4.5

Accessories

Accessories

Polarizing Filter

Sturdy Tripod

Tripod

TTL Flash

Hot Shoe Level

Better Beamer

Cable Release

1.4x Teleconverter

Budget to Intermediate Digital Camera Kits

Landscape
/ General Photography

Wildlife Photography

Camera
Bodies

Camera
Bodies

Canon PowerShot G5 (Point and
Shoot)

Nikon Coolpix 5400 (Point and
Shoot)

Nikon Coolpix 5400 (Point and
Shoot)

Canon 10D

Canon Digital Rebel

Nikon D100

Canon 10D

Nikon D70

Nikon D100

Lenses

Lenses

18-35mm Zoom

70-300mm Zoom

24-120VR / 28-135IS Zoom

80-400VR / 100-400IS Zoom

70-300mm Zoom

500 F4 / 500 F4.5

Accessories

Accessories

Polarizing Filter

Sturdy Tripod

Tripod

TTL Flash

Hot Shoe Level

Better Beamer

Cable Release

1.4x Teleconverter

Digital Media

Digital Media

Advanced to Pro Level Film Camera Kits

Landscape
/ General Photography

Wildlife Photography

Camera
Bodies

Camera
Bodies

Nikon F100

Nikon F5

Nikon F5

Nikon F100

Canon EOS 3

Canon EOS 3

Canon 1V

Canon EOS 1VHS

Lenses

Lenses

14mm

24-120VR / 28-135IS

17-35mm

80-400VR / 100-400IS Zoom

24-120VR / 28-135IS Zoom

500 or 600 F4

80-400VR / 100-400 IS

Accessories

Accessories

Polarizing Filter

Very Sturdy Tripod

Tripod

TTL Flash

Hot Shoe Level

Better Beamer

Cable Release

1.4x Teleconverter

2.0x Teleconverter

Extension Tubes

Wimberley Head

Hot Shoe Level

Off Camera
Flash Cord

Advanced to Pro Level Digital Camera Kits

Landscape
/ General Photography

Wildlife Photography

Camera
Bodies

Camera
Bodies

Canon 1Ds

Canon 1D

Nikon D1X / D2X

Canon 1Ds

Nikon D1H / D2H

Nikon D1X / D2X

Lenses

Lenses

10.5mm (Nikon)

24-120VR / 28-135IS

14mm

80-400VR / 100-400IS Zoom

12-24mm Zoom (Nikon)

500 or 600 F4

16-40 / 17-35mm

24-120VR / 28-135IS Zoom

80-400VR / 100-400 IS

Accessories

Accessories

Polarizing Filter

Very Sturdy Tripod

Sturdy Tripod

TTL Flash

Hot Shoe Level

Better Beamer

Cable Release

1.4x Teleconverter

TTL Flash

2.0x Teleconverter

Digital Media

Extension Tubes

Ball head

Wimberley Head

Hot Shoe Level

Off Camera Flash Cord

Digital Media

Do
your homework. Figure out what you want to accomplish
with your photography. Find out what cameras are
available that will most closely match your budget
with the features and specifications you need.
Narrow your search down to 2-4 cameras, head out
to your local camera store and try them out.

The camera you choose will almost never be what
separates poor and average photographs from above
average and great photographs. You are!

My camera recommendation is to just use whatever
camera you decide on. Take lots of pictures, practice
makes perfect. If you do that, you will be happy
with the camera you choose.